Many Mini Monkeys

This is what I did today...made many mini monkeys!  They're each about 6 inches tall, have glass bead eyes and cute little clothes.  These little cuties will be for sale at the Skunk Creek Community Market this Saturday, then they may turn up in my Etsy shop.

Sock Monkey Sisters

My good friend, Barb is going to Africa for 6 weeks to help out in the mission field, so we decided to get together for breakfast before she leaves.  Another good friend, Nancy, noticed that I had "lost my joy" and decided to show up with red hats and purple boas and take me to lunch.  We decided that three sounds almost like a party, so we all met at Cracker Barrel, along with a purple sock monkey in full Red Hat Ragalia.

Barb (left), Nancy (middle) and me (right) and our sock monkey friend.

We haven't named the monkey yet, but Barb is going to take her to Africa where the monkey will be given her Christian name.  I'll be posting pics that Barb takes in Africa and let you know our little friend's new name as soon as I know it.

I had so much fun this morning, I decided I'm tired of feeling blue....from now on, I'm going PURPLE!

New Greeting Card Give-Away Starts Today

Want to win a free Sock Monkey Ranch Greeting Card with this picture on the front?

 

 

All you have to do is come up with the winning caption for this picture.
If a picture paints a thousand words, what does this one say????

Heather in the Bottle Brush Tree

A couple of weeks ago Heather left Sock Monkey Ranch for her new home in Australia. I always love it when the monkeys "write home". Here's a bit of Heather's note to us at the Ranch.

Dear Miss Millie and all the Ranch Staff,

I have settled in nicely to my new home. It's a beautiful 3 acre lot with many different types of trees that are native to Australia. My new family took me for a walk in the gardens today and I"ve decided that the Bottle Brush Tree is my very favorite.

 

 

I have not seen any Kangaroos or Wallabys yet, but when I'm indoors I like to sit in the window and keep a watch out for them.  I hope all is well at Sock Monkey Ranch and that Lucky and Dusty are learning how to get along.

Miss you all,
Heather
Morpeth, Australia

I would love to hear from other monkeys who have left the Ranch...please, write.

All American Classic...Souped Up

Here's one of my favorite meals...good old tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.  Mine, however is a "souped up" version that's easy to make and double-delicious!

 

Souped Up Tomato Soup

1 can Campbells Tomato Soup
1 can Hunts diced Tomatoes with Green Pepper, Celery & Onion
1 soup can of milk

Combine all three ingredients and heat.  I have also used Hunts diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes and it turns out great.

Want to give your grilled cheese some extra zing?  Upcycle it by adding a slice of firm tomato and a thin slice of onion before grilling...yum-yum!

A Bunch of Monkeys!

We're coming up on our 80th sock monkey born at Sock Monkey Ranch in our first year.  That seems incredible.  A year ago I had never made a sock monkey!  My goal is 100 monkeys in 2007.

Pictures of most of the monkeys I've made can be found in the Sock Monkey Ranch Gallery.  Pop on over and have a look.  If you see one you like, let me know.  All of our sock monkeys are one of a kind, but I can make you one that's similar to your favorite.    I'd love to make a monkey for you!

Just some of the monkeys found in the Sock Monkey Ranch Gallery.

Come on over and take a look.

3 Monkeys Born Today

Exciting happenings at the Ranch. We had a set of triplets born today! As you can see, they are fraternal, not identical. They have already started to exhibit their own personalities (especially the guy in the middle!). We have not yet named them. Hey! You want to help name them? Please feel free to make suggestions...leave a comment.

Help me name these monkeys. Leave a comment with your suggestions.

Gayle Childers Winner of Greeting Card Give Away

Congratulations go to Gayle Childers who won this Sock Monkey Ranch Greeting Card with the winning caption...

"Well, Maw, it looks like the corn-squeezin's 'bout gone."

 

Watch for our next Greeting Card Give Away starting later this week.

Sneak peek at my newest creations

Take a sneak peek at my newest creations...Little Softie Dolls.  These gals are hand-drawn using non-toxic, permanent dye pens on new cotton fabrics.  Each Little Softie Doll is a one-of-a-kind.  Soft enough for a toddler, cute for any little girl's carry along best friend - looks great on a bed...and they're washable!  Look for them soon in my Etsy shop.

Little Softie Dolls

Best Chai in the World...IMHO

I'm sitting at my computer sipping on a delish cup of hot chai and thought I would share my recipe...

Hot Chai

2 cups water
4 tea bags (I use Lipton)
1 piece of stick cinnamon (3 inches)
5 whole cloves
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
pinch ground nutmeg
2 cups milk
1/3 cup sugar, honey or Splenda
1 tsp. vanilla

Place water, tea bags, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger and nutmeg in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.  Add milk and bring slowly back to a boil, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and strain through a coffee filter.  Add sweetner and vanilla.  Yummy when served hot, just as good served cold.

Enjoy!